No matter what anyone tells you, as a beginner, there is no point in ruining your climbing experience by having a shoe that is too small. Trust me on this one, no matter what that shop assistant tells you ask for a comfortable shoe. Sure you want a shoe that fits snuggly but you should be able to go long periods without your toes starting to ache - don't go the opposite route either though and get something too big.

Your technique is usually so bad starting off that any small benefit gained from a tight shoe will be lost anyway. You can't go wrong with a nice of Flash's as your first boot. Easy on and off and fairly comforatble at a good price - unless you're planning on trad then you need some lace-ups.

thx for the info ....
yeah i hear you on the comfort thing....
i do plan on going trad at some point, but right now until i can comfortably climb a few decent grade sport routes i think i shall stick there for now.

Evolv shoes are making a name for itself in SA. Good things about Evolv shoes are that they are pre-sized so no need to go a size or 2 smaller. As well Evolv shoes do not stretch (non stretch synthetic leather). And last but not least they are priced really good. Check out www.evolvsports.com.

I've got a pair of Mad Rock Phoenix, 1 size smaller, and they are extremely comfy. Been climbing in them for about 9 months, and they are still going strong. I reckon they are the perfect start up shoe.

Another shoe you could consider is the La Sportiva Mojo, also very comy.
Both farely inexpensive.

By experience: the best ever shoes are: 1)Saltic Vampirs, go 1-2 sizes smaller, they stretch, 2) Saltic Sepias, go 1-2 sizes smaller, they stretch too, 3) Can't go wrong with Mad rock New Mugens, they don't stretch much, may go 1 size smaller, or Any Evolve pair( Evolves have great stickyness to their rubber, but I'm not too sure of their durability either or of their heel-hooking capability), but at most 1 size smaller, maybe not even that.

Been trying them all out, so the above is only my opinion of the shoes I've Rocked with thus far...

must say, I'm still looking for that pair that'll enable me to climb grade 30...